Things to Know When Chartering a Bus

Top 3 Things to Know When Planning Your Next Bus Trip

Protect your travelers. How much is their safety worth?

Bus travel is one of the most popular, least expensive, and safest ways to travel. But, with more than 4,000 registered, for-hire motorcoach companies to choose from, it’s important to select one that will ensure your travelers arrive and return safely. Learn the top three things you need to know to consider safety, as well as price, and make sure you look before you book your next trip.

1. Choose a SAFE COMPANY

1. Choose a SAFE COMPANY

Have both a US DOT number and operating authority registration from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)—the Federal government agency responsible for the enforcement of laws relating to commercial motor vehicles.

Maintain insurance coverage of at least $5 million.

Provide accessible motorcoach service, using buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and securement areas
for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S.

Department of Transportation ADA regulations.

Other Important Considerations:

Safety Rating: FMCSA issues three types of ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory. A Satisfactory rating is the best rating. Bus companies with a Conditional rating may pose a higher safety risk. Bus companies with an Unsatisfactory rating should not be operating. A company with a less than satisfactory safety rating does not have adequate safety management controls to ensure compliance with the FMCSA safety fitness standards. Bus companies without a rating have not had their operations evaluated against FMCSA’s safety fitness standards.

Safety Performance: FMCSA measures the safety performance of bus companies in key safety and compliance areas as part of the Agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS). This system provides an assessment of a motor carrier’s safety and compliance performance in the form of Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, or BASICs. A symbol ( ) displayed in a BASIC indicates the company has fallen below a safety threshold which may cause the company to be prioritized for further monitoring.

Click here to read our SATISFACTORY rating from the U.S Department of Transporation.

2. Find a Safe Driver

2. Find a Safe Driver

Drivers who are employed by for-hire motor coach companies MUST have:

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement. Federal regulations require a driver to have a CDL when operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver. A valid medical examiner’s certificate. Bus drivers must possess a medical examiner’s certificate that indicates they are in compliance with applicable physical qualification requirements.

A safe driver should also:

Have a history of safe driving experience.

3. Plan a SAFE TRIP

3. Plan a SAFE TRIP

Know the rules, follow the rules, and keep your group safe. It is important to allow enough time to reach your destination safely. Interstate motor coach drivers MUST comply with Federal hours-of-service regulations, which state:

No interstate motorcoach driver can drive more than 10 consecutive hours.

No interstate bus driver can drive for any period after having been “on duty” for an extended period:

60 hours in any 7 consecutive days (if the driver’s employer DOES NOT operate every day of the week).

70 hours in any 8 consecutive days (if the driver’s employer DOES operate every day of the week).

If the length and duration of your trip requires consecutive hours of driving beyond those allowed by law, make sure a safe back-up driver is available.

Remember what’s at stake…Buses carry precious cargo.

Getting to your destination safely is MOST important. Interstate motorcoach operations are regulated by the FMCSA. As the Federal agency responsible for safety oversight of commercial motor vehicle operations, FMCSA and our law enforcement partners enforce and administer applicable Federal laws and regulations. Motorcoach companies and their drivers and vehicles are subject to inspection by Federal, State, and local authorities. A violation of a law or regulation could result in a fine, a penalty, or the driver, vehicle or entire motor carrier operation being ordered out-of-service.

For additional information, download the PDF below and you can also download the "SaferBus" app for iPhone and Android from this document

To charter a bus, contact our Charter Department at 518-843-4700 or 800-424-4700, or fill out the quote request form located below and we'll return the quote to you promptly during regular business hours.

Why IMG?

Safety Rating

Brown Coach is happy to provide access to our Company Snapshot on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. To view our up-to-date profile in their SAFER system, please click the link below and search using any of the following criteria: